diff --git a/drivers/nvme/target/core.c b/drivers/nvme/target/core.c
index be6fcdaf51a7..e3b8ec535eb4 100644
--- a/drivers/nvme/target/core.c
+++ b/drivers/nvme/target/core.c
@@ -1314,7 +1314,6 @@ u16 nvmet_alloc_ctrl(const char *subsysnqn, const char *hostnqn,
 		goto out;
 	}
 
-	status = NVME_SC_CONNECT_INVALID_PARAM | NVME_SC_DNR;
 	down_read(&nvmet_config_sem);
 	if (!nvmet_host_allowed(subsys, hostnqn)) {
 		pr_info("connect by host %s for subsystem %s not allowed\n",